The King Ranch Chicken and Fresh Veggie Casserole, with its creamy, Tex-Mex flavors and comforting layers, pairs beautifully with "Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens, a book that captures the Southern wilderness's richness and intrigue. This savory casserole complements the intricate layers of Owens' storytelling. Pairing it with a refreshing Paloma, a citrusy tequila cocktail, brings a vibrant contrast that highlights the casserole's warmth and adds a zesty finish to the experience.
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Casserole:
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 12 small corn tortillas, torn into pieces
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is bubbly and lightly golden.
- Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk, cooking until the sauce is smooth and thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes with green chilies, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
Cook the Vegetables:
- In a large skillet, heat a bit of oil over medium heat. Add the diced red and green bell peppers, chopped onion, corn, and minced garlic.
- Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
Assemble the Casserole:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread a thin layer of the prepared sauce on the bottom of the dish.
- Layer half of the torn corn tortillas over the sauce, followed by half of the cooked chicken, half of the vegetable mixture, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Repeat the layers, ending with the remaining sauce and cheese on top.
Bake:
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Serve:
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Where the Crawdads Sing
In the fall of 1969, the quiet town of Barkley Cove is set alight when local legend, Kya Clark also known as the Marsh Girl, becomes the prime suspect in the murder of Chase Andrews. "Where the Crawdads Sing" is an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Delia Owens proves that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING PHENOMENON—NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE! More than 18 million copies sold worldwide A Reese’s Book Club Pick A Business Insider Defining Book of the Decade “I can't even express how much I love this book! I didn't want this story to end!”—Reese Witherspoon “Painfully beautiful.”—The New York Times Book Review For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life—until the unthinkable happens. Where the Crawdads Sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.
Discussion Questions
- How does Kya's isolation shape who she becomes? Do you think it’s possible for her to form meaningful relationships?
- Discuss the role of nature in Kya’s life. How does it influence her emotionally and intellectually?
- In what ways does the setting act as a character in the narrative?
- What does this novel have to say about gender roles and expectations?
- How does the author use poetry throughout the novel and to what effect?
- Chase and Tate are two very different men in Kya's life. How do they each influence her?
- Discuss the role that prejudice plays in Kya's life and community.
- How do the themes of survival and resilience manifest in the book?
- Analyze the courtroom scenes in the novel. How realistic or believable are they?
- What does 'Where the Crawdads Sing' mean to you? How does the title relate to the book as a whole?
Authors:
Delia Owens
ISBN: 0735219109
Publisher: Penguin
Published Date: 2018-08-14
Paloma Cocktail
The Paloma is a light and refreshing tequila-based cocktail that's perfect with spicy Southwestern dishes. It combines the crispness of tequila with grapefruit soda, lime juice, and a touch of salt for a refreshing, citrusy finish that's both sweet and slightly bitter.
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- Grapefruit soda to top
- Salt for rimming the glass
Instructions
- Rim a glass with salt by moistening the rim with lime juice and dipping it in salt.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes.
- Pour in tequila, lime juice, and top with grapefruit soda.
- Stir gently to mix.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.